Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher says Toby Flood came out on top in a clash with possible England rival Charlie Hodgson.
Newcastle chief backs Flood for call-up to England World Cup squad.
Newcastle director of rugby John Fletcher says Toby Flood came out on top in a clash with possible England rival Charlie Hodgson as the Falcons beat Sale 33-12.
The opening Guinness Premiership fixtures saw Sale travel to Kingston Park with talk of either Hodgson or Flood being called up into the England World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Jamie Noon.
Flood came out on top in the clash with his Man of the Match performance handing the Falcons a comfortable victory.
Fletcher agreed that Flood came out on top, but admitted that the windy conditions for the game made life difficult.
"On today's performance Toby played better than Charlie," said Fletcher. "In the windy conditions anyone could have struggled."
The wind was a deciding factor in the game and Newcastle managed the conditions far better than the visitors.
Fletcher added: "We decided not to move it around because of the weather and we managed the wind a lot better than them."
Flood show
Flood kicked two penalties and two conversions, and rounded off a superb display with a late drop goal to really rub salt into the Sale wounds.
Flood was also involved in Newcastle's tries with an up and under leading to Mark Mayerhofler's score, while Tom May's try came after a clever kick off the outside of his boot - which he insisted was deliberate and not a slice.
"I heard the call from Tom and looked left to put them off and hit it with the outside of my boot to the corner," said Flood.
Flood will now be hoping to hear from England boss Brian Ashton if he decides to call-up a replacement for Noon in France.
